Held on November 28 and 29 at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, the MAMA Awards unfolded just days after a devastating fire at Tai Po’s Wong Fuk Court apartment complex. With the disaster resulting in significant casualties, organizers debated whether the show should proceed. Ultimately, the grand K-pop event continued, but under a heavy cloud of grief.
Amid dimmed lighting, Chow Yun Fat appeared on stage wearing a black suit and dark-toned glasses. Before presenting any awards, he quietly took the microphone and addressed the audience with a visibly trembling voice. “Please rise from your seats and join me in a moment of silence for the victims of the Wong Fuk Court fire,” he requested, his voice cracking with emotion.
As the lights across the venue were switched off, the entire audience of over 20,000 stood in solemn silence. The typically electric arena, filled with cheers from passionate idol fandoms, turned hauntingly still.
Chow Yun Fat continued, “I sincerely wish to offer my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the fire.” The crowd, captured on the live broadcast, listened silently and attentively to his heartfelt words.
Following his appearance, the awards ceremony took on a more subdued and respectful tone.
All flashy elements fireworks, flame effects, and pyrotechnics were removed. Songs with lyrics referencing fire were either modified or removed from the setlist. Performers wore monochrome outfits and pinned black ribbons to their garments in tribute.
This somber atmosphere was echoed in the messages from event hosts Kim Hye Soo and Park Bo Gum.
Opening the ceremony, Kim Hye Soo said, “We offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone deeply affected by this sudden tragedy. We hope that miracles still remain for us.” Park Bo Gum stated, “We believe in the healing and unifying power of music,” before leading a moment of silence to begin the evening.
What was meant to be a night of musical celebration instead became a poignant reminder of unity, compassion, and the human capacity for empathy in times of collective sorrow.
Sources: naver
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